Apparatus for testing pipes and tubes



(No Model.) I

A. O BRIEN.. APPARATUS FOR TESTING PIPES AND TUBES.

No. 496,438. Patented May 2 189 3;

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Nrfrno STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR OBRIEN, OF HELENA, MONTANA.

APPARATUS FOR TESTING PIPES AND TUBES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,438, dated May 2, 1893.

Application filed May 7, 1892. Serial No.432,194. (N model.) A

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR OBRIEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Helena, in the county of Lewis and Clarke and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Testing Pipes and Tubes; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to apparatus for testing pipes and tubes in connection with water or gas works, and plumbing generally, and has for its object to produce a simple but effective device which can be easily and quickly adjusted and operated.

My invention consists in the construction, relative arrangement, and operation of the several parts constituting my improved 'apparatus, all of which will be hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1, represents in side elevation my improved apparatus. Fig.2, is a vertical central section. Fig. 3 is a top View, and Fig. 4, a bottom view of the same.

Like letters of reference denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

A denotes the cage or casingto which the several parts are connected. It is provided with a top plate I), and a central aperture 0 through which a plunger d is passed. This plunger is provided with a vent passage d of small diameter, and its lower end is screw threaded as shown to permit of connection with a binding nut or collar e having an annular recess 6.

f is a collar which encircles the plunger and abuts against the lower edge of the casing. The inside diameter of this collar is slightly larger than that of the plunger, and into which space the inner wall of the recess e enters. This collar has an annular flange f which with the binding collar serves to confine a gasket 9 of rubber or other elastic material which, when the plunger and binding collar are raised, is compressed vertically, and expanded laterally to close the pipe. When the plunger is raised the lower portion of the collar f enters the recess e and thus the parts are rigidly held in their adjusted position.

I provide a simple but effective means for raising the plunger, as followsz-h is a lever fulcrumed in bearings on the plate I) which consist of two lugs z e having seats or recesses z" for receiving the pins h h on the lever. The inner end of the lever enters a slot j in the upper part of the plunger, and by depressing the han'dle k the plunger is raised sufficiently high to expand the gasket to the desired extent. On one side of the plunger and near its top is a series of ratchet teeth It for engagement with a pawl l as shown. This pawl is pivoted in bearings Z projecting from the top plate, and is held normally in engagement with the series of teeth by a spring m secured at one end to the top plate. By this meansthe plunger is held at any desired position.

In operation, the lower portion of the apparatus is inserted into the pipe to be tested. The lever is then depressed and the plunger and binding collar raised until the gasket, which should normally be slightly smaller in its outside diameter than the inside diameter of the pipe, expands sufficiently to close the pipe. Suitable pipe connection is then made with the vent and with a pump if desired.

- My invention is especially adapted for use in connectionwith the testing of soil and In testimony whereof I afiix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR OBRIEN.

WVitnesses:

FRED (J. OROUNSE, J AMES GREEN, J r. 

